All Along

Fortunes Unfold

After a drama-filled lunch, the group decided to visit the Bell Church, which was not very far away from their lunch spot. Although Sierra and Gerome have been to Baguio countless times, this was their first time going to the Bell Church. It was Ernest who suggested they visit this church. He explained that it was a Taoist church ran by monks who practice Tao principles of life. Ernest also said that when his family visited before the last year of college, they had their fortunes read and told to them here.

"Actually, kahit medyo cheesy pakinggan..dito ko na-realize na si Yen yung para sa akin. Sabi kasi ng nagbasa ng fortune ko 'A great and close confidante is the woman you are meant to spend your life with' " pag-eexplain ni Ernest habang nakatitig kay Yen.

"Grabe, tol. Ang cheesy nga. Medyo nasuka ako ha" pangaasar ni Enrique

"Tumahimik ka diyan Enrique. Di porket wala kang love life..pagdidiskitahan mo yung akin." ganti ni Ernest.

"Hep hep hep! Tama na yan. Let's go up to the church na" pagaawat ni Yen sa dalawa.

Samantala, di pa rin nagkikibuan ang mag best friend after ng paguusap nila kanina during lunch. Sierra kept herself busy in talking to Sam and the others while Gerome was being distracted by his girlfriend.

"Honey, let's get our fortunes read for us. I know we haven't been together for a long time but maybe wedding bells are in store for us, dont you think?" pagpapa-cute ng dalaga.

"HUH? Wedding bells? Marj, we're only 22 years old. We just finished school tapos kasal agad?" gulat na tugon ni Gerome.

"Why are you so defensive ba? Di ko naman sinabing ngayon na. I mean, that's where we'll end up din naman right?"

"Well..you see. I guess" ang tanging naging sagot ni Gerome sa dalaga.

Punong-puno ng inis si Marj sa pagkikibit balikat ng nobyo towards her. Lalo lang siyang naging determined to make sure na maalis ang nararamdaman ng nobyo para sa best friend nito.

"Wala ka mang sabihin, I know that you have feelings for her. But nothing can happen between the two of you. I'll make sure na malalayo ko ang damdamin mo para sa kanya." Just then, hinila ni Marj si Gerome papalapit kela Sierra at Sam na mukhang sinsero ding naguusap.

"Hey guys! Papasok na ba kayo sa church? Sabay na tayong apat." masayang bati ng dalaga sa dalawa.

"Oh yeah, Marj. Papasok na kami ni Sierra. We were just talking about yung sinabi ni Ernest kanina. Will you guys also have your fortunes told?" sagot ni Sam.

"Yeah, di ba honey? We'll have our fortunes told to us din."

"Hmm. Yeah. Oo, we will"

"Sierra, malay mo malaman mo sa fortune mo kung sino yung guy for you. Baka nga si Samuel pa yun" pasaring ni Marj.

"Hahaha. Naku, nakakahiya dito kay Samuel..Kaming dalawa na lang lagi nyong inaasar sa isa't isa. Crush ko lang siya noh. Atsaka high school pa yun naman!"

"Well, you never know what destiny has in store for you. For all of us." makahulugang tugon ni Marj. "But then again, people say na yung destiny..is something we also choose to go for"

May sasabihin pa sana si Sierra pero tinalikuran na sila ni Gerome at sinundan na siya ni Marj. Naaasiwa na si Gerome sa kakatingin kay Samuel at Sierra na magkasama. Lalo na't ang topic pa ng pinaguusapan nila ay DESTINY. "Paano nga kaya kung sila ang para sa isa't isa? Malamang, hindi magdadalawang isip yang si Samuel na suyuin si Sierra. Pero, what if kami ni........... ANO BA GEROME! Tigilan mo Gerome. Wag ka ng magisip. Wag na." pagsaway nito sa sarili.

"Let's go in na din, Sierra" paganyaya ni Samuel sa dalaga.

The church was intricately decorated with flags, bells and dragons. The solemnity of the surrounding definitely made them feel at peace. Sierra and Sam saw that their friends were already on their way out of the church.